Please pray for a friend of ours.  This was posted on her blog today.

Please pray.  Baby Delaney has been hurt badly.  I took her via
ambulance to the local ER and she is now enroute (via helicopter) to
OSF Saint Francis Children’s Hospital in Peoria.  Brian and I are
leaving to drive.  Please pray that we will make it there in one piece
as I think both of us are shaking head to toe and probably not in the
best condition to make a two hour drive.  And pray that Delaney would
be comforted and filled (she’s hungry) and calmed and held when we’re
not able to be with her.  Pray for mercy… that her brain will be okay
and that her eye did not sustain lasting damage.
Sorry no deets… must send as fast as possible.

~h

Her precious baby girl is about six months old.  Please pray for her healing and for peace and calm for Heather and Brian!  I cannot imagine going through something like this with Noelle. 
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Update from Heather

Wow – thanks friends.

She’s home sleeping safely in her bed. Quite banged up, but no brain
damage and no surgery necessary. We will return w/ her to Peoria next
week to see the neurosurgeon again as well as an eye specialist. Her
eye is completely swollen shut, so we have yet to hear the “all clear”
on that.

I’ve been awake for about 40-some hours now, but I’ll post more when
I’m coherent. But for now, know that your prayers “moved heaven and
earth”. There is no way she should have lived through a 150-200 pound
item dropping from about five feet up directly onto her face. God is
good. I am stunned. At His mercy and at your kindness. Thank you. 

-h

Today was a good day.  This morning found me waking up in Mom and Dad’s bed after my early morning feeding.  Mmmm…Food.  I really love food.

Most mornings I wake up in a wonderful mood and reward Mom with a big smile.  That always makes her happy and she usually makes these funny cooing noises at me.  Thinking it only polite to respond in kind I usually coo back.

Sometimes while we are having our early morning chat Mom will admire my hands.  She says she’s really glad I’ve got nice long fingers!

After we talk for a while Mom takes me over to my changing table to change my cloth diaper.  This is quite honestly my second favorite part of the day.  I love being anywhere close to naked.  Second best thing to eating.  Oh, did I mention that I REALLY love food?? 

After my diaper changing I usually get serious about the day.  Don’t like wasting good growth and thinking energy on smiles when they are not absolutely necessary like first thing in the morning.  One of my favorite places to play is on the floor in Dad’s office.

After a while I get tired of being by myself and decide it’s time for some companionship.  Dad’s shoulder is the best because then I get to watch the shipping happen and entertain myself with the ceiling fan.  Did you know that ceiling fans are fascinating??  I’m here to tell you that they are.  I could stare at one for hours.

As the day goes by I’ll eat quite a few more times and visit my very soft changing table a few more times as well.  Usually I take a nap or two here and there but not always.  

Until next time! Bye!

Noelle

There is nothing more controversial than differing opinions on how to raise and train children.  One of the very first “hot issues” I’ve encountered as a Mom is the virtual war between the “Scheduled” feeding Mom’s vs. the “UN scheduled” feedings.  Somewhere in the middle is what I suspect to be the majority, although far less vocal women who end up doing some compromise or blend of different elements each side holds dear.  To these women it’s “Whatever works for me, my baby and my family.”

Several people mentioned the book “Babywise” by Gary Ezzo to me as I asked for recommendations of various informative books to read on the subject of scheduling in regards to babies.  Being so busy before Noelle was born I never got a chance to order and read it in spite of the glowing recommendations I heard.  Recently I got to spend time with a fairly ardent supporter of the Ezzo’s methods.  She strongly encouraged me to get Noelle on a schedule as soon as possible for her well being.  This was a prompt for me to start researching to see what I could find available for free on the web regarding the Ezzo’s feeding schedule etc.  To be honest everything I heard about it sounded wonderful, although most of it I felt like we already had.  Noelle was sleeping 6 and 7 hours at a time from the time she was 5 weeks old.  She has also been for the most part a very good, content baby which is apparently one of the things the book promises as a result of following their schedule.

Several things that I found as I did my searches caused me great concern.    I wanted to post a very brief synopsis of the apparently growing body of serious problems many have with the Ezzo’s methods.  My disclaimer up front is below.  My purpose for posting these things is so that perhaps someone else out there that may not be familiar at all with the Ezzo’s or their teachings will get another perspective of some of the potential problems that can arise and therefore avoid some of the grief and heartache some parents have experienced.

Disclaimer!  I have not read the book “Babywise” or any other materials written from the Ezzo’s except the excerpts from their books linked on various websites.  I have nothing against the Ezzo’s personally.  I believe that many of the really horrible situations that have arisen from those following the Ezzo’s methods have been from parents who have taken what is taught very literally to the exclusion of basic common sense and love.   I believe that many have been helped by this program and that there are many babies who have thrived and done very well while on it. 

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This is an article by Matthew Aney, M.D.
http://www.ezzo.info/Aney/aneyaap.htm
Here are some quotes from the article for those who don’t have time to read the whole thing.

One
such book, On Becoming Babywise, has raised concern
among pediatricians because it outlines an infant
feeding program that has been associated with failure
to thrive (FTT), poor weight gain, dehydration,
breast milk supply failure, and involuntary early
weaning. A Forsyth Medical Hospital Review Committee,
in Winston-Salem N.C., has listed 11 areas in which
the program is inadequately supported by conventional
medical practice.The Child Abuse Prevention Council
of Orange County, Calif., stated its concern after
physicians called them with reports of dehydration,
slow growth and development, and FTT associated
with the program. And on Feb. 8, AAP District IV
passed a resolution asking the Academy to investigate
“Babywise,” determine the extent of its
effects on infant health and alert its members,
other organizations and parents of its findings.

I have
reviewed numerous accounts of low weight gain and
FTT associated with “Babywise” and discussed
them with several pediatricians and lactation consultants
involved….

Though
“Babywise” does say, “With PDF (Parent Directed Feeding), a
mother feeds her baby when the baby is hungry,”
it also instructs parents to do otherwise. In a
question-and-answer section, parents of a 2-week-old
baby, who did not get a full feeding at the last
scheduled time and wants to eat again, are instructed
that babies learn quickly from the laws of natural
consequences. “If your daughter doesn’t eat
at one feeding, then make her wait until the next
one.”

Examples
of the many other unsubstantiated medical claims
in “Babywise” include:

• “Lack
  of regularity [in feeding intervals] sends a negative
  signal to the baby’s body, creating metabolic
  confusion that negatively affects his or her hunger,
  digestive, and sleep/wake cycles.”
• “Demand-fed babies don’t sleep through the
  night.”
• “A mother who takes her baby to her breast
  12, 15, or 20 times a day will not produce any
  more milk than the mom who takes her baby to breast
  six to seven times a day.”
• “Mothers following PDF have little or no
  problem with the let down reflex, compared to
  those who demand-feed.”
• “Colic, which basically is a spasm in the
  baby’s intestinal tract that causes pain, is very
  rare in PDF babies but is intensified in demand-fed
  babies.”
• “In
  our opinion, much more developmental damage is
  done to a child by holding him or her constantly
  than by putting the baby down. In terms of biomechanics
  alone, carrying a baby in a sling can increase
  neck and back problems, or even create them.”
• “Some
  researchers suggest that putting a baby on his
  or her back for sleep, rather than on the baby’s
  tummy, will reduce the chance of crib death. That
  research is not conclusive, and the method of
  gathering supportive data is questionable.”

My
review of the low weight gain and FTT (Failure to Thrive) accounts associated
with “Babywise” revealed several disturbing
trends. Parents were often adamant about continuing
with the feeding schedule, even when advised otherwise
by health care professionals. They were hesitant
to tell their physicians about the schedule, making
it difficult to pinpoint the cause for the weight
gain problems. Many elected to supplement or wean
to formula rather than continue breastfeeding at
the expense of the schedule.
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One of the most disturbing things to me is how the Ezzo’s seem to have no problem mis representing truth in order to sell their books or lend credibility to what they teach. 
Example below:

Well,
first of all, our advice on feeding babies
is identical to the American Academy of Pediatrics…

–Gary Ezzo
in 1999 BBC television interview

September 11-13, 1998: Annual American
Academy of Pediatrics Chapter Forum passes AAP Resolution
# 53SC (98)—”Evaluating Infant Management Programs”.
It noted that the PDF feeding schedule is “inconsistent
with AAP recommendations” and that “over
100 health care professionals across the country including
19 AAP fellows have asked the Academy for feedback on
[GFI's] potentially harmful program”. It resolved
that “the Academy continually evaluate infant management
programs such as Preparation for Parenting and On Becoming
BABYWISE and regularly report its findings.”

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Here is an article by a Mom who was a strong supporter of Babywise.
http://www.ezzo.info/Voices/failed.htm

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This is the best article/concise information I was able to find.
http://www.ezzo.info/Aney/tulsakidspart1.pdf

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I welcome any and all comments!  

Sleeping sweet with adorable leetle toes.

On the porch in the rain with her Daddy.

“In case you didn’t know this whole growing up thing is serious business.”

Noelle is very fond of eating.  Always has been.  Her chubby little cheeks bear testimony to this fact.  From the time she was a couple of weeks old she would randomly grin while nursing.  This caused her problems because she couldn’t exactly continue nursing while grinning so it would be “” <nurse nurse nurse> “” And repeat. 

Tonight she did something new.  She had fallen asleep while nursing before bedtime but I wanted to make sure she was full so let her continue to nurse for a while in her sleep.  She interrupted her placid suckling with a gigantic grin and the most adorable sounding baby chuckles you’ve ever heard.  It was contagious and had me laughing with her.  While too early to tell for sure it did sound somewhat reminiscent of her Dad’s wonderfully vibrant and contagious laugh.  I hope she has gotten his laugh along with his features, feet and hands! 

So my dear wonderful, amazing man got me Xanga ProLifetime for my birthday! I had mentioned quite a while ago that is something I would really love to get when we had a bit of extra money and could afford it.  He remembered and then did it.  <happy sigh> I haven’t yet figured out nearly all the cool stuff that goes with Pro but am looking forward to learning.

I caught myself thinking something the other day that was worrisome to me.  When I used to baby sit and Nanny on a regular basis one thing that often bothered me was many Mom’s tendency to say “My child/children” with their husbands standing right there.  It was a small thing, and yes, indeed they were her children but they were also his.  It just seemed like that little word “mine” in regards to children was an ownership issue with many women.  At the time I promised myself that I would not take over complete “ownership” of our child/children in my speech or thoughts when I got married.  The other day Noelle was sleeping on our bed looking so sweet, so precious and so wonderful.  And the thought crossed my mind… “I am so thankful for my beautiful baby!”  Ironic that would be the context for that thought to pop up considering she is an absolute clone of her Father as far as looks and even personality go. 

As I laid down next to her I started thinking about what it would mean if she really were only “my” baby…I would be a single Mom having to work full time.  Considering what my last job paid I probably would barely be making ends meet for myself much less a little one.  Having to work full time and over time I wouldn’t be able to nurse and so would have to put her on formula.  She would also have to be taken care of most of the time by someone else…Probably in less than desirable circumstances like a day care with 20 other infants and two or three workers to care for them all.  Being in the the environments that we would be in, eating the foods that we would be eating and not having any extra money for immune building/health support supplements we would likely often be sick. This would equal time off of work which would equal reduced pay check and also Dr.’s visits and prescriptions to be paid for.  There would be no one to take over and make me rest after a full day of work when she was fussy.  No one to comfort and care for both of us.  No one to pay all the bills and handle all the financial paper work.  No one to be there for us to pick up all the pieces when life just fell apart.

It was an interesting mental exercise that filled my eyes with tears of gratitude for the fact that I have the blessing of being able to say “our” baby.  I hope I won’t take it for granted again. 

Our Camera survived it’s drowning in the TN River.  I am SO glad! Have missed taking pictures of my little munchkin.  Made up for lost time this morning. 

She likes hanging out in the shipping room.  Lots of activity to watch.  Uncle John packs boxes while playing Country music and singing while Dad works on his lap top.

Reflective…Contemplating the motions of the ceiling fan.

“Hmm…Mom has that thing pointed at my face again.  Not so sure I approve!”

One of her new favorite things is flapping her arms really fast then looking at them in frustration because apparently they are not doing what she wants them to.

Today we went garage sale shopping.  “We” meaning Steve, John and myself in the morning and then Jessi, my Sister in Law Steph and myself in the afternoon.  Found some fantastic bargains! 

Steve and I found two very nice infant car seat bases with the matching seat for $5.  We have been trying to find another base for the car seat we currently have for Noelle but it was going to cost quite a bit just for the extra base at Wal Mart and I hadn’t been able to find one used.  This way we get the whole system for five bucks and the extra base is going to come in VERY handy as far as convenience in using both the car and the truck. 

Two of my treasured hand made stoneware baking/mixing dishes from New Mexico didn’t survive the move leaving me one mixing bowl short.  I found two lovely white, heavy duty stoneware mixing/baking bowls today for $3. 

The happiest find of the day though was just amazing!  I have been looking for a crib for Noelle.  Right now she is sleeping in a bassinet by our bed but that will only work for a couple more months before she out grows it.  We had found a really nice changing table at a yard sale in Albuquerque before we moved and I had been kind of hoping to find a used crib to match the changing table.  Even found one on Craigslist one day for $50 but someone bought it before I got a chance to.  One of the sales we stopped at today was a church sale held in their basement.  Since I got there in the afternoon everything left was half price.  Low and behold there was a crib!  Not just ANY crib but a crib that matched the changing table.  Wondering if it was reasonably priced and noticing that it was in excellent condition I checked the price tag.  $15.  Wow.  Asked if this too was half price?  Yes, it was.  So that is totally my score of the day.  A beautiful, matching crib in excellent condition for $7.50.    I found out that a man had done the prices for all the baby stuff at this sale which ended up being a HUUUUGE savings because he obviously had no idea what reasonable re sale prices were on many of the items and went way, way under what they were actually worth. 

<happy sigh> I truly love a great bargain. 

So we went boating today.  Quite the experience. Not altogether un pleasant except for the water part.  <sigh>  No, I’m not fond of water as a whole.  Particularly not nasty river water.  My first time Mom nature kept exerting itself in paranoia over the fact that there were no life vests small enough for the babies.  The fact that Steve and Paul were divers and EMT’s was the only thing that made me comfortable enough to go out there with them  I figured if the worst happened and they ended up in the water by accident they would be rescued in short order by someone other than me! lol

Thankfully the day passed by without any human casualties.  Unfortunately our things were not so fortunate.  Apparently a freak wave came out of nowhere and washed across the boat soaking Noelle’s car seat, diaper bag and <sad sigh> our new camera!  We are trying to dry it out but all indications are that it is ruined.  I am so sad.  To be without a camera with such an adorable and fast changing baby is horrible to think about.  Don’t think I would mind it so much except that I have really enjoyed and gotten into the habit of picture taking!

Ah well, maybe it will live again. 

Steve dragged me out into the river to about waist deep.  Then he took Noelle swimming.  She kicked her legs a few times and then decided she was done and looked bored. 

In spite of our wet things and my nervousness it was a fun day.   I hope we can do it again before the end of summer!  Am really enjoying making new friends in the area.